Time ends when you no longer need to produce it.
– Byron Katie
Where do I find time? How does time appear to me?
When I look, I find an image of time, and on this image I place images of what has happened in the past, what may happen in the future, and even images of what’s happening in the present. Past, future, present – they are all images, all thoughts, their boundaries defined by images. I also see an image of time as a timeline, and images of events placed on this timeline. And it’s all happening within this timeless present, within and as awakeness. I cannot find time outside of these images.
I have an image of myself as a baby, not receiving the love a thought says I needed. It’s placed on an image called past, early on the timeline called my life. These images all happen here now, as awakeness. I have an image of myself in the future, celebrating New Years in a couple of days. This image is placed on an image called future, on a shorter timeline that shows days and perhaps weeks. These images all happen here now, as awakeness. I have an image of myself sitting by the computer, having just read in The Hobbit, about to have some food. These images are placed on an image called the present, with slightly fuzzy boundaries (to past, future). And it’s all happening here, as awakeness. Images of time and what happens within time all happens within and as this timeless presence.
When I look, I find the same with space. And as time and space are revealed as images happening here, as awakeness, something shifts. Mind is no longer able to project a world out there that exists as inherently, solidly, as it initially may appear. Mind is no longer able to project a self – a me and I – existing within time and within a world, and take it as unquestionably solid and real. It’s all revealed as images appearing solid when not questioned or examined, and revealed as images when there is a closer look.
There is nothing magical or mystical about it. It’s all plain to see when examined in a real, honest and thorough way.